Possible Scottish Independence and the Monarchy


If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
See posts with no answers
PrincessOfPeace said:
I think one of the best things to come out of all of this is we English can stop pretending to like Andy Murray
Click to expand...

I think this clearly demonstrates how ridiculous the situation is - is he British or Scottish? When he plays for Britain is he really playing for Scotland?! Will he ever play for England or for GB again?
 
Jacknch said:
:englandflag::scotflag::walesflag2::niflag::britflag:
Good morning everyone and very well done to you guys for all your posts throughout the night and keeping us updated with the results. Thank you.

The United Kingdom is intact and I am quite relieved as I am not sure what my reaction would have been had the vote gone the other way.
Nonetheless, this whole process has left me feeling without a proper and distinct national identity and that the United Kingdom is not one country. It is four distinct countries - each with it's own identity (although seemingly to a much lesser degree here in England) and I just don't get the idea why Scotland has it's own parliament, or Wales and NI have their own assemblies when we are apparently all one and the same?

I hope politicians throughout these lands will take stock of what has happened over the last few months and I hope people from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be reminded of how vitally important it is to use their votes in elections and referenda and to engage properly in what is happening in their country.
Click to expand...
They were talking overnight on the BBC and CNN about the UK becoming federal, with parliaments/assemblies in the different counties/countries, similar to the states in the US, or to the way Germany operates.
 
Thank goodness the vote went NO. I was so hoping it would be. I only hope that there will be more powers given as promised.
 
To me, as an Aussie living in a successful Federation, it would seem logical to me that each of the 'countries' - NI, Wales, Scotland AND England should all have their own assemblies to deal with specific issues for them while Westminster deals with the big issues that affect everyone.
 
:previous:
The prime minister and other leaders were desperate over the last few weeks to prevent a yes vote and now that little hurdle has been jumped, the next one will be dealing with this rather sorry state of affairs. There is no doubt in my mind that the Barnett formula should be scrapped and I expect Mr Salmond to call for it to be ended very soon, considering Scotland does not need the extra money and can stand on it's own two feet!
 
It doesn't make sense for issues that are voted on locally in Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Wales by regarding Scottish, Welsh or NI issues but then allow for all of parliament to vote for English only issues. If its handled locally for the other 3, it should be done locally to for England.


Sent from my iPhone using The Royals Community
 
AnnEliza said:
They were talking overnight on the BBC and CNN about the UK becoming federal, with parliaments/assemblies in the different counties/countries, similar to the states in the US, or to the way Germany operates.
Click to expand...

Yes, my partner and I were discussing exactly the same thing last night. I think it is the only way to go and I would support it. The Scottish parliament would have to become an assembly and a nice new Assembly building could be built somewhere outside London - such as here in the lovely former kingdom of East Anglia!
 
I'm so glad that Scotland is staying with the UK! Big relief! Just hope that no trouble comes about now in the aftermath.


Sent from my iPhone using The Royals Community mobile app
 
AristoCat said:
2 in 3 English MPs want to axe Scotland perks | Daily Mail Online
Click to expand...

That would be monumentally stupid. And a sure way to ensure the yes side a win the next time.

It seems now that the no-side won, hardly surprising. Which means the yes-side didn't have a good enough case, - at least not yet...

But, - but a result around 55-45 also meas the no-side were not particularly convincing either. So there are clearly a number of political issues that needs to be addressed.
Unfortunately, even though most politicians would like to think of themselves as statesmen, hardly anyone are. So I believe the UK politicians will react more or less like the EU politicians at the last EU election: Be shocked for a few days, then collectively close their eyes for the issue and start (again) believing their own interpretations, which corresponds with what they want to believe...
So in a couple of years at the latest, Scotland will be back to square one and the yes-side will gain momentum again...
 
It's not so very long since 21 was the age of majority for voting and legal purposes. I'm puzzled that 16 & 17-year-olds were permitted to vote in this referendum and wonder about the implications for the future.
On another note, marvellous turn-out of voters - similar to NZ where voter turn-out is usually 80%+
 
Valerie Rose said:
It's not so very long since 21 was the age of majority for voting and legal purposes. I'm puzzled that 16 & 17-year-olds were permitted to vote in this referendum and wonder about the implications for the future.
On another note, marvellous turn-out of voters - similar to NZ where voter turn-out is usually 80%+
Click to expand...
I wondered about the lowering of the voting age too. I thought I heard something on the news that someone thought young people would be more likely to vote yes.

Impressive voter turnout for NZ! In the US, even for presidential elections, we usually have less than 60% turnout. :bang:
 
Australia would be disappointed with a turn-out as low as Scotland's for this referendum. We regularly get around 98%.

There is a reason of course - we have compulsory voting (and there are some very good reasons why with the main one being that it is therefore up to the government to get the polling station to the electors rather than have many people disenfranchised simply because they live too far from a polling station. Yes postal votes are possible but again you have to go somewhere to organise that but if the polling station will come to your community in the outback then it is much better for all concerned and for our democracy).

The 45/55 split, for anyone interested, is the same that Australia had for its republican referendum in 1999 and that is largely on the back-burner now.
 
The distance from a polling place is not the main reason for low voter turnout in the US, since a great many of us now vote by mail.
People seem cynical about their votes counting, possibly due to the size of the population, or that even a candidate who doesn't win the majority of votes can still be "appointed" president.
Sorry, I know I'm getting off topic, I'll stop now.
 
Iluvbertie said:
To me, as an Aussie living in a successful Federation, it would seem logical to me that each of the 'countries' - NI, Wales, Scotland AND England should all have their own assemblies to deal with specific issues for them while Westminster deals with the big issues that affect everyone.
Click to expand...

I feel the same way, and probably for the same reason.

I have never really thought of the UK as one country, but as a group of four different countries united politically in various ways for mutual convenience and benefit, but each having a separate and distinct national identity.
 
Iluvbertie said:
To me, as an Aussie living in a successful Federation, it would seem logical to me that each of the 'countries' - NI, Wales, Scotland AND England should all have their own assemblies to deal with specific issues for them while Westminster deals with the big issues that affect everyone.
Click to expand...

You have the best solution to the problems that they all have been facing, great idea Iluvbertie, now from your lips to their ears and hoping that they all live up to their promises. I am very glad it went this way, so very glad.:)
 
Valerie Rose said:
It's not so very long since 21 was the age of majority for voting and legal purposes. I'm puzzled that 16 & 17-year-olds were permitted to vote in this referendum and wonder about the implications for the future.
On another note, marvellous turn-out of voters - similar to NZ where voter turn-out is usually 80%+
Click to expand...
Am I right in thinking that in a General Election the voting age remains at 18?

As to voter turnout in NZ, I am at a loss as to where you obtained that figure. According to Statistics New Zealand, voter turnout has been falling steadily from a high of 91.4% in 1981, to at 91.4% to 74.2 in 2011. And, I think tomorrows General Election is heading for a record low.
 
Valerie Rose said:
It's not so very long since 21 was the age of majority for voting and legal purposes. I'm puzzled that 16 & 17-year-olds were permitted to vote in this referendum and wonder about the implications for the future.
On another note, marvellous turn-out of voters - similar to NZ where voter turn-out is usually 80%+
Click to expand...

There is a very simple explanation for that.

Teens tend to vote for left wing parties, (or would like to vote left, were they allowed) so left wing parties are generally in favour of lowering the age for voting.
Labour is in a very strong position in Scotland and as I understand it the Scots in general are social-democratically inclined, so...
 
Just woke up to check the vote. This was a marvelous display of democracy at work. Congratulations to all Scots on a robust voter turnout. Well done.
 
It is very heartening that people were so passionate about this issue and were passionate enough to go and have their say. I would have preferred that the majority decision was more convincing, ie more than 70% either way.
 
I am sure there will be a genuine celebration at the Ghillies Ball at Balmoral tonight.
 
MARG said:
Am I right in thinking that in a General Election the voting age remains at 18?

As to voter turnout in NZ, I am at a loss as to where you obtained that figure. According to Statistics New Zealand, voter turnout has been falling steadily from a high of 91.4% in 1981, to at 91.4% to 74.2 in 2011. And, I think tomorrows General Election is heading for a record low.
Click to expand...

"Usually 80%+" is pretty much what these figures say: General elections 1853-2011 - dates and turnout | Electoral Commission
and I couldn't speak for tomorrow's :flowers:
 
Jacknch said:
I think this clearly demonstrates how ridiculous the situation is - is he British or Scottish? When he plays for Britain is he really playing for Scotland?! Will he ever play for England or for GB again?
Click to expand...

Bit like the problem we've had here with Rory McIlroy waiting for him to declare for the Olympics.

I'm glad Scotland stayed ok here in Ireland we got our independence but at a price and it hasn't been all smooth sailing.

For me the main thing if I had been voting in the Scotting Referendum was the fact that Alex Salmond couldn't/or wouldn't 100% confirm what the currency would be in 18 months time. Forget everything else its money that makes the world go round
 
dee1412 said:

For me the main thing if I had been voting in the Scotting Referendum was the fact that Alex Salmond couldn't/or wouldn't 100% confirm what the currency would be in 18 months time. Forget everything else its money that makes the world go round
Click to expand...

Yep. People were concerned about what was going to happen to their savings, and how they were going to be able to pay their mortgages and whether their jobs would still be there for them. I think the economic uncertainty and genuine fears stopped a lot of people from voting for independence even though they would like Scotland to be independent.
 
Last edited:
Valerie Rose said:
It's not so very long since 21 was the age of majority for voting and legal purposes. I'm puzzled that 16 & 17-year-olds were permitted to vote in this referendum and wonder about the implications for the future.
On another note, marvellous turn-out of voters - similar to NZ where voter turn-out is usually 80%+
Click to expand...


There were permitted to vote because a; Salmond thought they'd vote yes, b; because he claimed it was "fairer", despite not allowing Scottish born people who we're living abroad to vote! and c; 16+17 year olds are perfectly capable of understanding politics when explained correctly. GE age is still 18, but it'll probably be lowered in years to come.
 
Didn't people who live in Scotland but were citizens of another country (not the UK) were allowed to vote? Is that a common thing in the rest of the world. In the US, you can't vote in elections if you are not an American citizen.


Sent from my iPhone using The Royals Community
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Constitutional and Dynastic Matters in the Norwegian Monarchy
2 3
Replies
69
Views
9K
Tatiana Maria
T
M
Laws of the House of Grimaldi
Replies
3
Views
2K
Tatiana Maria
T
H
Royal Fears and Phobias
Replies
9
Views
2K
Biri
B
M
Family Bylaws Concerning the House Law of the House of Luxembourg-Nassau
Replies
1
Views
2K
Tatiana Maria
T
Somebody
  • Locked
The Commonwealth's hypothetical independent monarchies
Replies
9
Views
1K
Zonk
Zonk

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom